Aranya Bodhi: Awakening Forest Hermitage

Inspired by the Theravada forest traditions, Aranya Bodhi: Awakening Forest Hermitage is a rustic, "off the grid" Buddhist women's monastic hermitage on 100+ acres of mountain forest and meadows on the Northern California Sonoma Coast. Aranya Bodhi
is the monastic hermitage project of Dhammadharini, a religious non-profit organization in the State of California. Contact the hermitage by email at awakeningforest@gmail.com. Main website: www.aranyabodhi.org.

Go tohttp://www.dhammadharini.net/for up-to-date information about Aranya Bodhi Hermitage, as well as the Dhammadharini Vihara, now located in Santa Rosa.

Sunday, June 16, 2013

It is so good to be back in this peaceful forest surrounded by my Sangha sisters.

To my surprise, i was greeted on return by a full hall of several groups of friends who came throughout the afternoon, which we all, young and older, spent enjoying meditation and joyful Dhamma reflection and discussion together.

meditating together before almsmeal dana

making Buddha mudras with the children

I returned to find that two new tent platforms had been built by -- us! -- while i was away :-). Several venerables and friends had their very first mentored experiences using power tools, as well as blessing the new platforms together. Friend Lee will be staying on one which is her new secluded spot of meditation. The other will become our temporary kitchen, as we are about to have an outdoor camp kitchen for a week or two of this fine weather while our hermitage's kitchen trailer undergoes much needed renovations.

I hope to write again soon to share with you a little about my time away with the Generation X Buddhist Teacher's Conference and the International Vipassana Teacher's Conference -- both very different and very valuable and enriching gatherings.

Also, look out for further news on the coming Volunteers Week and other preparations for our Three-Monthlong Vassa-time Retreat which begins just 5 weeks from today. We have a full house here at the hermitage now with 7 bhikkhunis and samaneris as well as 3 aramikas (hermitage stewards) in residence -- a total of 10 of us :-)).

Sunday, June 02, 2013

Friends and sisters of the Tri-Cities Interfaith Women for Peace drove up the coast and joined us today in the quiet Awakening Forest, bringing abundant food to share for the late morning almsmeal offering, joining us for blessings and the meal, Q & A on everything from Buddha images to God and Nibbana, and then a walking tour of our women's monastic hermitage land, meditation sites and stupa.

The meeting of Ayya Tathaaloka and Sr. Gloria, the abbess of the Dominican Sisters' motherhouse in Mission San Jose, in Fremont two years ago sparked the advent of Interfaith Women for Peace, which has now grown into a lovely and lively contemplative gathering of women religious leaders of multiple faiths in the San Francisco East Bay Area.

Meeting our Interfaith Women for Peace friends here in the forest

Today's visit of Sr. Annette, a Catholic nun of the Order of Notre Dame, Muslim sister Nabeela, Japanese Buddhist Sets and Unitarian Universalist minister Rev. Barbara Meyers to our Aranya Bodhi Hermitage followed on Ayya Sobhana's presentation on Buddhism to an Interfaith Women for Peace gathering at the Peace Pagoda in Fremont last month.

Ayya Tathaaloka, when asked about the concept of God, speaking on Nibbana, "the Unconditioned"

Ayya Sobhana comments ~

"We felt such a connection with these women, who care enough about mutual loving-kindness, compassion and peacefulness. This is so meaningful. It is not just a theoretical interest in interfaith relationships, but a genuine heart connection. Its really beautiful and lovely."

Ayya Sobhana giving a walking tour of the land and speaking on the Dhamma while showing Kalyana Kuti

Saturday, June 01, 2013

For all dear friends of our Bhikkhuni Sangha and Venerables far and wide ~

Warm greetings from the quiet peace of the Awakening Forest, our Vesak-week Bhikkhuni Camp now complete.

For 5 days this past week under the bright Vesaka moon bhikkhunis and samaneris from around the country and around the world gathered for "Bhikkhuni Camp", the third time Bhikkhuni Camp has happened on this hermitage land, although the first time since our hermitage has come into being here.

Let us share with you something of this year's camp.

the camp

Bhikkhunis and samaneris stayed in little huts in this redwood forest by the ocean, or pitched tents up high on the mountain meadow called "the saddle". Our hermitage land was in full spring bloom, with myriad forest and meadow flowers and birds singing. On the first day -- our day of gathering -- after a long and unusual spring drought, a heavy spring rain came in, moistening the land and alleviating the fire danger. The second day monastic campers experienced the famous mountain mists, and then the sun broke through clear and bright, blessing all our remaining days together.

Early in the morning monastics gathered to chant together in our DhammaSala yurt, or to each practice sitting, walking and standing meditation independantly in the clear and elemental beauty of the forest and meadows. Later each morning bhikkhunis and samaneris gathered for Council together, speaking on matters important to the heart of this path and the way. Topics ranged from our individual practice and experience to the important matters of monastic communal life to working together on knotty points of monastic discipline--delving into the Pali-text Bhikkhuni Vinaya which hasn't been practiced for so long and now once again returns to life. Each day a different bhikkhuni teacher led the council, so we all learned from and benefited from each others' unique experience and methods.

pindapata ~ almsround

Later in the morning all of us arranged our almsbowls and upper robes and set off walking silently, in line as a flock of geese, moving through the forest, down the mountain tracks, cross the creek, and emerging in the little forest village on the other side of the canyon. Two houses in this tiny forest village had specially welcomed us to come by for pindapata on two days of the camp, but after the second day, they invited us back for the next two days as well!

sharing blessings & sharing in Dhamma

When we were invited in to receive almsfood and take our meal at the forest village dwelling; on receiving food we chanted ancient Pali verses of blessing and appreciation. For the first time, we also chanted the "Yata varivaha..." verses in English as well, led by Ayya Dhammadhira and Ayya Anandabodhi. This was beautiful, everyone sharing in their thoughts of dedication for loved ones and aspirations on the Path.

After the meal offering and drying of alms bowls in the sunshine, each day a different bhikkhuni teacher offered the Anumodana Dhamma-katha, a Dhamma reflection offered in gratitude and appreciation to those who have made the offering. After the Dhamma reflection, all those gathered enjoyed lively Dhamma discussion. On one day the discussion went on for several hours! It was wonderful to hear Dhamma reflections from different bhikkhunis each day and to have excellent Dhamma discussion amoungst dedicated lay and monastic practitioners and community leaders.

Jill Rayna, leader of the DharmaCreek Sangha, kindly offered a "creek walk" to gathered monastics and supportive friends. Creek Walk is a highly mindful experience walking the pools, waterfalls and great logjams and boulders of the creek that flows down through our land from north to south, and out into the ocean. It is excellent for getting deeply in touch with the four-fold elemental nature of the land, water and air, heat (and coolness); internally and externally, in these bodies as in all of nature. Thank you Jill for offering this!

evenings on the saddle with the stupa

Later in the evening, as the light began to fall, we all gathered up on the high mountain saddle around the ancient Shilla reliquary stupa that graces our Aranya. Sitting together, we spoke as sisters quietly, and then all became silent to listen to a Dhamma talk from one of the longtime monastics, senior bhikkhuni teachers.

On one evening, Ayya Dhammadhira chanted for us the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta--the Discourse on Turning the Wheel of the Dhamma--again, in English, in a beautiful rendition rendered during her past Winter Retreat time. It is so good to hear the Dhamma in one's native language so beautifully and well expressed.

Our days and nights passed together in this way. No one was eaten by cougars or coyotes; the land was filled with peaceful metta and a great appreciation for the life of all co-dwelling living beings. No one fell down the mountainside on the steep trails; a spirit of mindfulness and the goodness of the training held and protected and blessed us all. And no one even met a timber rattlesnake, scorpion or tarantula, although we learned lots about them thanks to Samaneri Sumedha's excellent orientation.

Many thanks to gifts from local friends and the supporters of the Alliance for Bhikkhunis, there were jugs for hot water to keep us warm, and propane to heat the water. There was a new shower tent in which to bathe, and eco-friendly bio-degradable soap to bathe with. Many thanks to Jill Rayna, there was a newly recleared trail to walk pindpata and cross the canyon to the village on the other side; and thanks to friends there, the welcome place to walk to, and a place for friends to gather. Many thanks to local friends from near and far who offered our daily almsmeal, warming and sustaining these bodies, our vehicles for living the holy life in the way of the Buddha.

Many thanks for the friend who has so generously offered the use of this beautiful Aranya land to us, our women's monastic community, its elders and new bhikkhunis, its aspirants and friends, and those who seek solace together in the forest recluse life. And deep, deep thanks and gratitude to friends Lee, Tess, Holly, Ashley, Jill, Ann, Jeannie, Ying & Hisayo, Maryann, Lal, Jocelyn and Amanda who, together with our Dhammadharini Support Foundation, were the team of supportive friends who made it all possible.

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Over the past few months, the bhikkhunis and residents of Aranya Bodhi, along with many skillful friends, have been building a beautiful new toolshed. Sherene, Justin, Janaka, Lal, Erika, Malachi, Lulu, Julie and Ais, Jamyrson, Kat Kelly and Lisa,
Wink, Joan, Maheshi, Kitty, Nancy, Geri, Teresa, Dina Marie, Healah, Ven. Pasada, Sr. Santacari, Ayya Sudinna ... all of them now have left their mark on our hermitage in this helpful structure.

It is certainly suitable for a hermitage to create such a clean and orderly space for our building supplies and tools. In the Suttas and Vinaya, we hear stories of the first monastics building their own huts. This is a proper kind of work, to be done mindfully and in full awareness.
We may compare this physical project to our right effort in the Dhamma practice: There is the decisive moment when we arouse energy to begin the work. Then we apply energy, stepping on the gas, but in a well directed way, balanced and sustained. Then, we don't give up. Although the body may need to rest, we sustain unremitting, seamless mindfulness, not stopping, not giving up and not turning aside until the goal is finally reached.

We will get a skilled builder to take care of the shingles on that steep roof, but there is still time for volunteers to help finish up this project in October and November, before the winter rains set in. Contact here if you are interested.

Thursday, July 12, 2012

During the past few weeks, our Aranya Bodhi Hermitage has been blessed with the brief visits of several women who are exploring how to go deeper into the full practice of Dhamma, whether through bhikkhuni training or as upasikas, close friends of the monastic community. We have felt inspired and uplifted by Wink, Joan, Maheshi, Kitty, Nancy, Geri, and Teresa. Each one is glad to be here in the forest, appreciative of our Dhamma teaching, content to follow the daily rhythms of silence and courteous conversation, manual work and the internal work of meditation, accomplishment and doing nothing at all.

And at the very same time, Ayya Tathaaloka and the Dhammadharini Board of Directors, assisted by our Vassatime resident Sayalay Santacari, have been looking for Dhammadharini's next in-town monastery, envisioned as the place where we can more easily be in contact with our local lay friends, and provide a suitable dwelling for those bhikkhunis who are not physically well to spend the whole year in a primitive camp-style abode.

The in-town monastery and the forest hermitage will then complement each other. Actually, the existence of a strong in-town monastery makes it possible for the hermitage to fulfill its role. In town, there may be the chance to serve and assist the frail or elderly monastics. In the forest, the chance to be alone among the elements. In town, the chance to offer teaching and ministry for many people and families. In the forest, the chance to teach one or two students at a time. In town, the chance for close, loving supervision of novices and new bhikkhunis. In the forest, the space for those who can practice on their own. In town, the chance to network with the world on high-speed internet. In the forest, the chance for a more ancient life-style.

What a gift it is, and what an accomplishment that Dhammadharini is able to pursue this important new project without losing the momentum of our community life. We particularly appreciate that Ayya Tathaaloka and Sy. Santacari are subjecting themselves to many hours of computer work, driving around the Bay Area, and talking to many people, while we at Aranya Bodhi Hermitage have the pleasant chores of constructing a toolshed with our own hands, re-tapping the spring and building a natural filtration system.

Recently the number of women coming to us as well qualified monastic life aspirants has increased from a trickle to a steady stream. Ayya Tathaaloka and our sangha have been considering, how can Dhammadharini welcome this next generation. What is best for sustainable growth of our sangha?

Job one is to develop a mature monastic sangha, with numbers of well trained and well practicing bhikkhunis who see eye-to-eye on the way to practice our Dhamma and Discipline. This work takes time, but it is well underway.

Then we need the ongoing sustained relationship with our lay community. For various reasons, during the past two years while the Aranya Bodhi Hermitage was getting established, Dhammadharini has had less presence than before in Fremont and East Bay Area. There was not the constant 24-7 availability to our lay supporters, as had been developing in the previous years. When we get into our new in-town center, this lack will be corrected.

And finally, there is a need for a proportionate match between our practical needs and the available support. As it is now, a few large gifts have made it possible for Dhammadharini to carry on, with its town center at Bodhi House and forest hermitage at Aranya Bodhi. The construction of a simple infrastructure for the Hermitage and medical insurance for a growing sangha have been the major items, as our community grew from 2 to an average of 6 residents. To the extent that enough support is forthcoming, both for the purchase of the new center and for our ongoing expenses, we can open more opportunities for those women at our gate who wish to go forth as bhikkhunis.

Then, when well-practicing monastic women and lay practioners are in constant contact, the inspiration is mutual. We all benefit. We fulfill the Buddha's plan for his Dhamma and Discipline to thrive for a long time.

This year's ordination is meant to be simple and quiet, a normal event in the cycle of Buddhist monastic life. The first part of the ordination will be a sunrise ceremony at our Aranya Bodhi Hermitage. In accord with the ancient procedure, the candidates will first be questioned, accepted and ordained within the Bhikkhuni Sangha. The ceremony at Aranya Bodhi will begin at 5:00 a.m. with pre-dawn meditation, concluding at 7:30 a.m.

We will then take the new bhikkhunis, "ordained on one side," to the Bhikkhu Sangha at the American Buddhist Seminary Temple in West Sacramento. At 11:00 a.m. we will join the ABS Temple's Vesak Dana and Celebration honoring the Buddha's birth, awakening, and parinirvana. In the early afternoon, the new bhikkhunis will present themselves for acceptance by the Bhikkhu Sangha. This ceremony completes the ordination. Our sisters Marajina and Nibbida will then be established as full and complete members of the Dual Bhikkhu and Bhikkhuni Sangha.All are welcome to attend.

The ABS Temple's Vesak Celebration and Bhikkhuni Ordination will begin with precept ceremony and meditation at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 6, at the ABS Temple, 423 Glide Avenue, West Sacramento, CA 95691. You are welcome to bring a cooked dish for the 11:00 a.m. Dana. For information about the ABS Temple, visit http://www.middleway.net. If you will attend the ceremonies at ABS Temple, please rsvp to Eunice "Samvaree" Cerezo, ozerece@msn.com.

If you will attend the early morning ceremony at 5:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 6, at Aranya Bodhi Hermitage, please rsvp to awakeningforest@gmail.com. We will email the driving directions. Those wishing to sleep overnight in our meditation hall (yurt) may bring their own sleeping bags and arrive after 4:00 pm on Saturday, May 5. The hermitage is located within a gated community, so you must have the gate code to reach us.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

A
full Bhikkhuni Sangha will again come together for Vassa 2012 at
Aranya Bodhi Hermitage, practicing close to nature, living very
simply, and carrying out the ancient monastic forms set forth by the
Buddha.

~

Vassa
is a traditional yearly retreat period when Buddhist monastics give
up wandering and practice in one place for three months. In order to
synchronize the lunar calendar and the solar calendar, 2012 has been
determined as a Buddhist “leap year” by Thai astrologers, which
means that our Vassa will be later than usual, from August 3rd
to October 30th.

~

Most
of our Bhikkhuni Sangha will also be on the land before Vassa, for
the long, pleasant days of May, June and July. We hope to make
these months a special time to share with our lay supporters and
friends. We will be welcoming visitors at the Aranya Bodhi Hermitage
on the Sonoma Coast; maintaining a presence at our in-town center,
the Bodhi House in Fremont; and teaching in both places.

~

Ayya
Tathaaloka Theri (left), will be dividing her time between Aranya
Bodhi Hermitage and the Bodhi House in Fremont. Ayya Sobhana
Bhikkhuni (right), will be on the land at our hermitage.

Ayya
Sudinna Theri, who participated in our first Bhikkhuni Sangha Camping
Retreat four years ago and led at Dhammadharini Vihara
while Ayya Tathaaloka was in India 5 years ago, will join the
Hermitage at the beginning of May and plans to stay through Vassa. What a
blessing it will be to have two theris with us!

~

Ven.
Suvijjana, member of the Dhammadharini women's monastic community
since 2006, will be continuing on at the Hermitage.

Ayya
Anandabodhi Bhikkhuni (right) and Ayya Santacitta Bhikkhuni (left),
will be staying at the Aloka Vihara in San Francisco, and frequently
visiting the hermitage on Uposatha full moon and new moon days.

Ven.
Munissara Bhikkhuni (left) and Ven. Pasada Bhikkhuni (right) recently
ordained at Dhammasara Monastery in Australia under Ayya Tathaaloka's
auspices. Ven. Pasada hopes to be at the hermitage this Vassa and Ven Munissara for the 2013 Vassa.

Samaneri
Marajina, trained here on the land, plans to receive full bhikkhuni
ordination on May 6, and hopes to divide her time between the
hermitage and outside training. She will be at the hermitage for
Vassa.

Samaneri
Nibbida plans to receive full bhikkhuni ordination on May 6 returning on June 12 to Australia on June 12 to continue her training at Sanghamittarama.

Sayalay
Santacari (from Australia), trained with Ven. Ariya Ñani in Myanmar,
and is now with Ayya Upekkha Bhikkhuni at Sanghamitttarama,
Australia. She will be joining the Hermitage in June and staying
through Vassa. She aspires to going forth as a samaneri.

Our lay residents will include Upasika-to-be Margaret Darby, who served at the Dhammadharini Vihara in 2010, along with Geri Feldman and Sherene Smith. There is still room for another lay resident, particularly during May-June and September-October.

Our
friends around the world

The
renascent Theravada Bhikkhuni Sangha is still young, and we are
developing our communities, building traditions, and supporting
younger monastic women to establish
themselves and grow in the Dhamma.

We
rejoice in all the new bhikkhunis and samaneris obtaining ordination
this year, here at Aranya Bodhi, at the Dhammasara Monastery of
Australia, and at the Dharma Vijaya Temple in
Los Angeles. Every year they are more abundant, like the luxurious
crop of dandelions on our lower landing.

And
we rejoice for those who trained with us over the past two years, now
riding the wind like dandelion seeds to far corners of our world.

Ven. Adhimutta Bhikkhuni, creating a new community under care of the New Zealand Bhikkhuni Trust

Sister (soon to be Ven.) Nibbida, returning to Sanghamittarama, in Australia, where she will join with Ayya Upekkha Bhikkhuni (of Singapore) and Bhante Jaganatha in creation of a new Dual Sangha monastery. http://bsv.net.au/

A
net of friendship and sangha is gradually evolving, as the various
centers are established. We are particularly close to
these monastic women at other places who were ordained with Ayya
Tathaaloka as preceptor.

Sunday, January 29, 2012

The kitchen trailer work was completed last week and we were able to resume cooking inside a building. We had been cooking outdoors. Walls to protect from wind and cold, and a roof to protect from rain are very welcome during our winter season. Everyday when we return to our kutis, the monastics reflect on the wise use of shelter. "Wisely reflecting, we use shelter only to protect from heat and cold, merely to ward off the touch of gadflies, mosquites wind, sun and reptiles; for the enjoyment of seclusion." On the Sonoma Coast during winter, our shelters also protect from frost and forest beings seeking warm, dry places. Though buildings require maintenance, they enable us to stay here - the only Theravadin bhikkhuni hermitage in the United States and one of only two hermitages for bhikkhunis on the American continents.

The kitchen now has a dehumidifier that has been collecting up to two gallons of moisture from the air everyday. By reducing humidity and increasing air circulation, two conditions for mold growth, it helps to ensure a healthier environment for all of us. There is also a freezer to keep perishable food for longer periods of time when cold and rain prevents our family of supporters from visiting.

We are very grateful for your loving attention and generosity. Without you, there would be one less place for Buddhist women to find refuge in, one less place in the world for the benefit of all sentient beings. Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

Thursday, January 12, 2012

I hope the holidays brought you and your families joy and the happiness of being together. Thank you for the lovely support you've provided to our monastics during these winter months at Aranya Bodhi. It is because of your generous gifts of such things as heaters, electricity, shelter, food and clothing that they are able to live the Holy Life, a rare and priceless opportunity.

This winter has brought a few unforeseen challenges. The wonderful kitchen trailer, recently purchased has been found to have structural deterioration which allowed mold to grow inside a couple of walls and possibly the ceiling. Minor renovation must be undertaken to eliminate the mold and replace the deteriorating wood. To provide the proper conditions after the repair, a dehumidifier, which provides air circulation and moisture removal from the air is very important. In addition, we were unable to repair our hermitage chest refrigerator and it has become necessary to purchase a small freezer for food storage in our remote forest. The freezer would be very helpful when friends make the long trip and bring larger quantities of grocery dana.

These essential repairs will cost about $2500. Your generous support of this emerging bhikkhuni hermitage is essential and gratefully appreciated by all of us.

Friday, December 16, 2011

This is our first post to the Aranya Bodhi blog that is not made possible by a gasoline generator. I am writing from the Sangha Hall on the electricity provided by our newly connected solar electrical system. Though the sun has yet to shine upon the completely wired array, the batteries arrived fully charged and are providing the power right now. Eric, Mike and Rody from Pure Power Solutions made a lot of progress today. Eric (top photo) installed our inverter and charge controller in the battery room. Mike installed the rails for an additional four solar panels on top of the laundry shed. This will add 450 watts more to our hermitage solar electrical system, for a peak potential of 1920 watts of electricity. The batteries are strung together in six groups of four batteries each. The generator was filled with diesel fuel, tested and connected to the inverter. Tomorrow morning as the sun comes over the hillside, the battery bank will begin its cycle of charging on the sun's power.

Rody gave us the gift of an ac outlet directly on the inverter so we could have electricity right away. The Sangha Hall and kitchen trailer now have household ac electricity by way of extension cords until our ac electrician can install the proper wiring in January. For now, our cook can can make use of a rice cooker and the microwave oven.

Because the sun will not be able to provide all the electricity year round and we are presently experiencing the shortest days of the year, the diesel generator will be keeping the batteries charged. This means that we will be using diesel fuel instead of gasoline but rather than using the generator directly, we will be using it indirectly and far less often. Rody told us that red diesel is less expensive because it has no highway tax -the generator is strictly for off road use :) so we are asking our friends to help us look in our nearby cities of Santa Rosa and Petaluma for a red diesel provider.

Stack, our ac electrician is tentatively scheduled to help us on January 5th and 6th. With her help, we will have electrical outlets for each of our main buildings. So a lot has already happened to get us to this point from the very first thoughts of how to bring electricity to our remote forest wilderness. And still there is a little more left to do. A little more to plan on and wait on but for now we have silent light. There is no generator running. A little more on the horizon.

Wednesday, December 07, 2011

This is Rody. He's been great to work with us, designing our solar electrical system. He is familiar with micro hydro as well - that's how we met him - and is installing these components with our future in mind. Rody is beside the 7kw diesel generator which will be used to charge the batteries on our shorter wintry days.

Six strings of four 6 volt comercial batteries line the floor of the grass hut in the lower landing. The grass hut may now be called the battery hut. These commercial batteries are sealed, eliminating the need to open battery cells, or use sulphuric acid. They can last up to 15 years with proper care. The inverter and generator will work together to keep them charged and equanimous (aka equalized) to the specifications of the manufacturer.

This is Joel, at the top, and Mike, at the bottom, installing the sixth panel.

This beautiful 1470 watt array peers into the horizon from the lower landing.

Rody, Mike and Joel will be returning next week with the inverter, and will wire everything together then.

Sunday, December 04, 2011

Having stayed with us for seven months, our lay steward Gwyn, who had been helping us with errands, recently departed. Due to the remote nature of Aranya Bodhi we are not visited daily and nuns rely on help for certain errands. There is an ongoing and regular opportunity for help to be offered regarding driving, and filling our propane and gasoline tanks. If you can help please contact awakening forest@gmail.com

Solitary Retreats for Women in Nature

Group Retreats for Lay Women

Mindfulness Retreats on the Land and Kayak Retreats on the Ocean (click on the photo for more info)

Retreats for Bhikkhunis, Buddhist Nuns and Sisters

solo or group retreats

The Cost of Retreats

Dana: Supporting One Another in Mutual Trust and GenerosityThe Awakening Forest Hermitage operates entirely on the ancient principle and practice of Dana.

Dana may be translated as the spiritual, religious or liberating practice of charity, generosity or giving. In Theravadan Buddhism Dana is amongst the three fundamental practices to be cultivated which are: Dana (giving), Sila (moral virtue) and Bhavana (meditation/mental cultivation). These practices form a solid and healthy basis for mental calm and tranquility together with deeper insight (vipassana) and meditative concentration or absorption known as samadhi and jhana.

Dana is also one of the paramis or paramitas, the transcendental perfections cultivated by the Buddha himself and all enlightening beings. As the mental quality of dana is one of unselfishness and release, as a practice it is directly counter to the spiritual poisons of greed, attachment, selfishness and clinging. Thus, the mental state involved in dana and the actions that arise from it are closely related to release, liberation and the freeing of the heart, Citta Vimutti.

In practical terms, dana is a grassroots method of simply and without much fuss allowing anyone and everyone to be able to contribute as much as they are able, whenever they are able to the teachers, counsellors and the maintence of places of spiritual teaching and practice. Thus providing that the priceless Dhamma be freely available to all at any time, irregardless of contemporary finanacial ability.

Rather than taking from one another, we live in mutual generosity, loving supportiveness and freedom.

Monasticism and the Environment

Ayya Tathaaloka participates in the third Gethsemani Encounter in May 2008

Conference Statement from the Monastic Men and Women of Gethsemani III

We live in a time of environmental crisis and calamity, but also in a time when more and more people are coming together to respond to the suffering of the world. Our monastic interreligious dialogue has brought us to a new awareness of the social and spiritual relevance of ancient monastic traditions that have been sustained for millennia by Buddhist and Catholic communities.Together we celebrate our common monastic values of reverence for the sacredness of all things, contemplation, humility, simplicity, compassion and generosity. These virtues contribute to a life of nonviolence, balance, and contentment with sufficiency.We recognize greed and apathy as the poisons at the heart of ecological damage and unbridled materialism. Throughout the centuries, monastic life has inspired generous personal, social and spiritual effort for the good of others. We give and receive in the spirit of gratitude.We acknowledge our complicity in damaging the environment and will make a sincere and sustained effort to reduce our negative impact on the planet. We are committed to take more mindful, universal responsibility for the way we use and manage the earth’s resources. We resolve to develop our hearts and minds in ways that will contribute to a sustainable and hopeful future for our planet. We renew our commitment to the sacredness of the earth, relating to it as a community, not a commodity.May our love for all beings and this world sustain our efforts and may our earth be revitalized. This is our prayer and commitment.

a few words on the Thai Forest Tradition

exerpted from the biography of the Venerable Ajahn Tate Khantipalo by Thanissaro Bhikkhu:

Since the time of the Buddha, more than two thousand five hundred years ago, monks have retreated into the depths of the forests, mountains and caves, seeking physical isolation to aid them in the development of meditation and realization of Dhamma, the truth of the Buddha's Teaching. Whether in solitude or in small groups, such monks live a life of simplicity, austerity and determined effort and have included some of the greatest meditation masters since the Buddha himself. Far from cities and towns, willing to put up with the rigours and hardships of living in the wild for the opportunity to learn from nature, and uninterested in worldly fame or recognition, these forest monks often remain unknown, their life stories lost among the jungle thickets and mountain tops.

The revival of the forest tradition in Thailand during the last century was a grassroots movement to return to the lifestyle and training that was practiced in the time of the Buddha. Some monks abandoned the busy village and town monasteries for the peace and quiet of the forest. They followed the Vinaya Rule more strictly, emphasizing the importance of every detail. Such monks lived without money, living frugally on whatever was offered and patiently enduring when necessities were scarce. They integrated the extra austere practices (tudong) recommended by the Buddha into their lifestyle. For example, eating only one meal a day from their alms bowl, wearing robes made from discarded cloth, and living in the forest or in cemeteries — often using a krot (a 'tent-umbrella' with mosquito net) for shelter. These forest monks would often wander barefoot through the sparsely settled regions — Thailand's previously small population was scattered over quite a large country — seeking places conducive to meditation.

The very heart of the forest tradition is the development of meditation. By cultivating deep states of tranquillity and systematically investigating the body and mind, insight can arise into the true nature of existence. The forest masters were noted for their creativity in overcoming the problems, hindrances and defilements of the mind, and for their daring determination to realize Nibbana, enlightenment, the fulfillment of the spiritual path taught by the Buddha.

from the Verses of the first Buddhist Women & Men - aka the Psalms of the Sisters and the Brethren

"I used to worship fire,the sun, the moon,and the gods.I bathed at fords,took many vows,shaved half my head,slept on the ground,and didn't eat after dark."Other times,I loved makeup and jewelry,baths and perfumes,just serving my bodyobsessed with sensuality."Then faith came.I took up the homeless life.Seeing the body as it really is,desires have been rooted out."Coming to birth is endedand my cravings as well.Untied from all that bindsmy heart is at peace."(~Nanduttara Bhikkhuni, from the Therigatha)"Coming out from my day's abidingon Vulture PeakI sawon the bank of the river an elephantemerging from its plunge."A man holding a hook, requested:'give me your foot.'The elephant extended its foot.And the man got up on the elephant."Seeing what was untrainednow tamed, brought under human control,with that I centered my mind ~why i'd gone to the woods in the first place.(~Dantika and the Elephant, from the Therigatha)"Homage to you Buddha,best of all creatures,who set me and many othersfree from pain."All pain is understood, the cause, the craving is dried up,the Noble Eightfold Way unfolds,I have reached the state where everything stops."I have beenmother, son,father,brother,grandmother;knowing nothing of the truthi journyed on."But i have seen the Blessed One;this is my last body;and i will not gofrom birth to birth again."(~ Mahapajapati Gotami Theri, Founding Mother of the Bhikkhuni Sangha)"When i lived in a houseI heard a monk's wordsand saw in those wordsNirvanathe unchanging state."I am the onewho left son and daughter,money and grain,cut off my hair,and set out into homelessness."Under trainingon the straight way,desire and hatred fell away,along with the obsessionsof the mind that combine with them."After my ordination,i rememberedi had been born before.The eye of heaven became clear."The elements of the body and mindi saw as other,born from a cause,subject to decay.I have given up obsessionsof the mind.I am quenched and cool."(~Sakula Theri, Foremost of the those bhikkhunis with the Divine Eye, Therigatha)

Where some are exhaustedclimbing the mountain,there the Awakened One's heir — mindful, alert, buoyed by his psychic power — Kassapa climbs.Returning from his alms round,climbing the peak,Kassapa does jhanawith no sustenance/clinging, having abandoned terror & fear.Returning from his alms round,climbing the peak,Kassapa does jhanawith no sustenance/clinging, unbound among those who burn.Returning from his alms round,climbing the peak,Kassapa does jhanawith no sustenance/clinging, free of fermentation, his duty done.Spread with garlands of vines,places delighting the mind,resounding with elephants,appealing: those rocky crags refresh me.The color of blue-dark clouds, glistening,cooled with the watersof clear-flowing streamscovered with ladybugs: those rocky crags refresh me.Like the peaks of blue-dark clouds,like excellent peaked-roof buildings,resounding with tuskers,appealing: those rocky crags refresh me.Their lovely surfaces wet with rain,mountains frequented by seers& echoing with peacocks: those rocky crags refresh me.This is enough for me — desiring to do jhana, resolute, mindful;enough for me — desiring the goal, resolute, a monk;enough for me — desiring comfort, resolute, in training;enough for me — desiring my duty, resolute, Such.Flax-flower blue, like the skycovered over with clouds;filled with flocksof various birds: those rocky crags refresh me. Uncrowdedby householders, frequentedby herds of deerfilled with flocksof various birds: those rocky crags refresh me.With clear waters & massive boulders,frequented by monkeys & deer,covered with moss & water weeds: those rocky crags refresh me...

(~Maha Kassapa Thera, Theragatha 18 exerpt)

the Buddha's Teaching on Forest Dwelling and Wilderness Abodes

from the Anapanasati Sutta ~ the Teaching on Mindfulness of Breathing ~ Majjhima Nikaya, translated by Bhikkhu Nyanamoli and Bhikkhu Bodhi"...And how, bhikkhus, is mindfulness of breathing developed and cultivated, so that it is of great fruit and great benefit?"Here a bhikkhu, gone to the forest, or to the root of a tree, or to an empty hut, sits down; having folded his legs crosswise, set his body erect, and established mindfulness in front of him, ever mindful he breathes in, ever mindful he breathes out..."

"Endowed with four qualities, a monastic is fit to stay in isolated forest & wilderness dwellings. Which four? [He is endowed] with thoughts of renunciation, with thoughts of non-ill will, with thoughts of harmlessness, and he is a discerning person, not dull, not a driveller. Endowed with these four qualities, a monastic is fit to stay in isolated forest & wilderness dwellings."

The Jina Sutta - Old - Samyutta Nikaya 16.5, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu"...Kassapa, what compelling reason do you see that you for a long time have lived in the wilderness and have extolled living in the wilderness... that you have kept your persistence aroused and have extolled having persistence aroused?"

"Lord, I see two compelling reasons that for a long time I have lived in the wilderness and have extolled living in the wilderness... that I have kept my persistence aroused and have extolled having persistence aroused: seeing a pleasant abiding for myself in the here & now, and feeling sympathy for later generations: 'Perhaps later generations will take it as an example: "It seems that the disciples of the Awakened One and those who awakened after him lived for a long time in the wilderness and extolled living in the wilderness; were almsgoers and extolled being almsgoers; wore cast off rags and extolled wearing cast off rags; wore only one set of the triple robe and extolled wearing only one set of the triple robe; were modest and extolled being modest; were content and extolled being content; were reclusive and extolled being reclusive; were unentangled and extolled being unentangled; kept their persistence aroused and extolled having persistence aroused."'"

"Good, Kassapa. Very good. It seems that you are one who practices for the happiness of many, out of compassion for the world, for the welfare, benefit, & happiness of beings human & divine. So continue wearing your robes of cast off hemp cloth, go for alms, and live in the wilderness."

Aranna Sutta ~ The Wilderness ~ Samyutta Nikaya 1.10, translated by John D IrelandThus have I heard. At one time the Lord was staying near Savatthi, at the Jeta Grove in Anathapindika's monastery. Now when night was passing a certain devataa, lighting up the whole Jeta Grove with her surpassing beauty, approached the Lord. Having drawn near and prostrated herself she stood to one side.

Standing there the devataa said:Those living in the forest,Peaceful and calm, of pure life,Eating but one meal a day:How is it they appear so radiant?

The Lord replied:They sorrow not for what is past,They have no longing for the future,The present is sufficient for them:Hence it is they appear so radiant.

By having longing for the future,By sorrowing over what is past,By this fools are withered upAs a cut down tender reed.

Participating in the Awakening Forest Hermitage Project

Ananya Bodhi: The Awakening Forest Hermitageis the monastic hermitage/retreat project of Dhammadharini, a religious non-profit organization with 501(c)3 Federal and State of California tax-exempt status . All activities at Aranya Bodhi are supported entirely by the generosity of friends. There is never any charge for any of the teachings, programs, retreat time and space or any of the other activities there. Theravadan Buddhist monastics who live by the traditional Vinaya as taught by the Buddha use and keep no money, do not engage in commercial transactions and do not own goods other than their four basic monastic requisites of a set of robes, almsfood, lodging and medicine in times of sickness. All of their labors and activities are offered charitably and freely in their practice of generosity.

If you are interested in participating in or supporting the existence or development of the Awakening Forest Hermitage, please contact Ayya Sobhana at: awakening forest@gmail.comor phone and leave a message at: (707) 340-4281 or on Skype "Aranya_Bodhi" . Tax exempt donations for the Awakening Forest Hermitage may be made out to "Dhammadharini" and posted to:Dhammadharini Support FoundationPO Box 1671Fremont, CA 94536, USAPlease make a note in the memo column of your check: "for Aranya Bodhi" or "for Awakening Forest Hermitage"

Secure, online donations can also be made for the hermitage project via DHAMMADHARINI SUPPORT FOUNDATION through Network for Good here: